Good Thinking

Softshelter provides disaster relief housing with a personal touch

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The softshelter housing solution for disaster relief situations (Image by Molo Design)
Rubber door handle prototype (Image by Molo Design)
Softshelter at work (Image by Molo Design)
Tyvek hanger (allowing for personal items to be hung on the walls) (Image by Molo Design)
Tyvek hanger (allowing for personal items to be hung on the walls) (Image by Molo Design)
To illustrate the practicality of the system, David, a member of the Molo team, has volunteered to camp out in a softshelter module within the Molo workshop space for a period of several weeks (Image by Molo Design)
Canadian design firm Molo has taken initiative to create a cheap and comfortable housing solution for disaster relief situations (Image by Molo Design)
David sets up home (Image by Molo Design)
Canadian design firm Molo has taken initiative to create a cheap and comfortable housing solution for disaster relief situations. (Image by Molo Design)
The softeshelter modules have been made from 100 percent recycled materials, with the objective to be re-used over a long period if time (Image by Molo Design)
The flexible walls pack flat, suitable for fast and cost effective shipping, whilst in a matter of minutes the softwalls can be unpacked and expanded to create walls and rooms (Image by Molo Design)
The softeshelter modules have been made from 100 percent recycled materials, with the objective to be re-used over a long period if time (Image by Molo Design)
"The softwall quickly and easily expands to create the four walls of the space and the end panels are connected magnetically to each other" says Molo (Image by Molo Design)
"The softwall quickly and easily expands to create the four walls of the space and the end panels are connected magnetically to each other" says Molo (Image by Molo Design)
The flexible walls pack flat, suitable for fast and cost effective shipping, whilst in a matter of minutes the softwalls can be unpacked and expanded to create walls and rooms (Image by Molo Design)
"With 1-2 people, private rooms for individual families can be created within minutes without tools or experience," explains Molo (Image by Molo Design)
"With 1-2 people, private rooms for individual families can be created within minutes without tools or experience," explains Molo (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter housing solution for disaster relief situations (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter system encompasses all that is required for a disaster relief housing (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter will soon be available as a fully deployable system (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter will soon be available as a fully deployable system (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter will soon be available as a fully deployable system (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter will soon be available as a fully deployable system (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter system encompasses all that is required for a disaster relief housing (Image by Molo Design)
The softshelter housing solution for disaster relief situations (Image by Molo Design)
View gallery - 24 images

Canadian design firm Molo has created a cheap and comfortable housing innovation for disaster relief situations. Dubbed "softshelter," the system has been designed to create personal space within in a communal shelter, thus providing individuals or families with some privacy during a time of hardship.

To illustrate the practicality of the system, a member of the Molo team has volunteered to camp out in a softshelter module within the Molo workshop space for a period of several weeks. "By occupying the shelter as it is being designed, we will be able to make discoveries that allow us to further refine a system that, hopefully, will one day be able to assist in disaster relief in an immediate and tangible way," the company states.

The softshelter modules are made from 100 percent recycled materials designed for re-use over a long period if time. The flexible walls pack flat, suitable for fast and cost effective shipping, whilst in a matter of minutes the softwalls can be unpacked and expanded to create walls and rooms. "With 1-2 people, private rooms for individual families can be created within minutes without tools or experience," explains Molo. "The softwall quickly and easily expands to create the four walls of the space and the end panels are connected magnetically to each other."

"With 1-2 people, private rooms for individual families can be created within minutes without tools or experience," explains Molo (Image by Molo Design)

The Molo team has also added small touches to make the relief shelter feel that little bit more personal. Individuals can personalize their space by utilizing features such as a magnetic clipping system for pictures or photos; a flower vase; a Tyvek hanger that allows for personal items to be hung on the walls; a water-resistant Tyvek hanger for wet items; and an LED light which can be centrally positioned in the event of blackouts or during night time.

The softshelter will soon be available as a fully deployable system.

View gallery - 24 images
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4 comments
Alonzo Riley
OMG! Can this fit into a backpack for weeklong hikes into the high Uintah\'s? If only I can find a flat piece of ground to sit it up on, I\'ll be SET!
Pres
Excellent idea....
plus provides some temperature insulation and helps in sound dampening.
windykites
Velcro would be cheaper and lighter than magnets as a a closure device. The walls are only good for indoor use because of the lightweight construction.(paper?) I can\'t see the real need for the wall thickness. There is probably not a great deal of sound proofing.
Sandra Baxendell
These would be great in community shelters in Australia during cyclones and bush fires